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Vaping Diaries #167: Aqua Atomizer Review (UVO System)

The Aqua by Footoon from UVO System has been one of the hottest atomizers for the last few months. This bottom-coil silica atomizer is often touted as a “Kayfun killer.” I completely disagree with that label, but have become extremely fond of the Aqua atomizer. The Kayfun 3.1 is indisputably one of the finest atomizers on the market today. After using the Aqua atomizer for several months (special thanks to The Vape Source for the hookup), I believe that it’s just as excellent, but offers a very different vape. It’s more of a Kayfun alternative than a Kayfun killer. Will you like the Aqua more than the Kayfun? It depends on what kind of vape you’re looking for.

What’s in the Kit: The Aqua atomizer comes in a black box adorned with the UVO System logo. Inside the box are the atomizer, two drip tips, spare O-rings, and a hybrid pin for the Origin by Footoon mod. The included accessories are useful; extra O-rings are always a good idea and the hybrid pin is a nice treat for Origin owners, allowing for greater performance with a direct connection to the battery. The drip tips look great and match the Aqua atomizer perfectly, but they heat up quickly on sub-ohm builds. They’re fine for anything above 1.0 ohms, but as you hit the 0.7 ohm range and lower, the metal drip tips become too hot for chain vaping.

Build Quality: The Aqua atomizer is made primarily from 316 stainless steel, which is considered surgical grade. The metal is luxurious and the quality is easily apparent. The machining is also top notch, with clean lines and smooth threads. The build quality of the Aqua atomizer is excellent and comparable to that of other high-end atomizers on the market.

Design: In many ways, the Aqua atomizer works similarly to the Kayfun 3.1. It uses a small flavor chamber and air pressure to deliver an outstanding vape. There are some major differences though. It’s a relatively small device and its juice capacity (effectively less than 2ml) is somewhat modest. Some vapers will appreciate the compact form factor, while others will yearn for more capacity.

Where the Aqua atomizer gets really interesting is with its dual-coil capabilities. This baby was made with dual-coil builds in mind. The air-flow control gives vapers a decently wide range of draws — certainly a broader range of air flow than what the Kayfun 3.1 offers. Lastly, juice flow can be manipulated by turning the center tube. Vaping mostly 50/50 and 60/40 PG/VG juices, I didn’t need to use the juice-flow control, but it will definitely come in handy for vapers that prefer thicker juices with a higher VG percentage.

Since the Aqua atomizer was made to match Footoon’s Origin mod, its diameter is 21mm. It looks perfect on the Origin, but leaves a gap when used with the numerous 22mm and 23mm mods on the market. Personally, I didn’t care about the aesthetics since I was extremely satisfied with the device’s vape, but vapers that are anal about flush appearances will be bugged by the Aqua’s atypical diameter.

Performance: This device offers everything I love about the best bottom-coil silica atomizers on the market — the full flavor of dripping with some juice capacity. It’s also an extremely versatile atomizer. While the Kayfun rightfully has legions of fans, there are some vapers that want an airier draw, a warmer vape, and easy dual-coil setups. This is what the Aqua atomizer brings to the table. You get outstanding flavor and versatility with this atomizer.

Like other bottom-coil silica atomizers, the Aqua is pocket-friendly. You can close off the air flow completely and put it in your pocket or bag without having to worry about leaks.

Ease of Use: Building coils for the Aqua atomizer is more complicated than building coils for a dripper or a Kayfun, but relatively straightforward. The deck is small and there’s not a lot of space to work with. For wick, I found it easiest to use material that’s 2mm wide or less; anything bigger and it’s difficult to stuff the wick into the Aqua’s channels. Using flat ribbon is possible, but using wire is exponentially easier (I’ve seen ribbon builds, but it’s not something I could easily do myself). If you have experience with rebuildables then you should be fine with the Aqua. If you’re a newcomer then I’d suggest going for a Kayfun-style device first, since those are easier to work with.

With my average building skills, I was able to set up good dual-coil builds using Ekowool, ceramic wick, and cotton. Since juice levels can’t be seen, I recommend going with Ekowool, silica, or ceramic wick on this atomizer.

Refilling the Aqua is a snap. You take the top cap off, fill the tank with juice, put the cap back on, twist it until it’s nearly closed, turn it upside down, and finish screwing the cap back on. While you can do the same with a Kayfun while covering the air hole with your finger, refilling the Aqua is much easier than they way you’re supposed to refill a Kayfun 3.1 or Kayfun Lite. The former requires a syringe or needle-tipped bottle, while the latter requires taking off the atomizer and using a screwdriver. Refilling the Aqua atomizer is a breeze and it passes the all-important “drunk” test. I was able to refill the atomizer multiple times while intoxicated and it never leaked on me. Win.

Verdict: For certain types of juices, the Aqua atomizer is amazing. Its potential for high-temperature vaping makes it a great choice for bakery, tobacco, and some dessert e-liquids. The device is made from top-notch materials, features great craftsmanship, is quite versatile, and is relatively easy to rebuild. While I disagree with the assessment that it’s a Kayfun killer, I think it’s a fantastic complement to the Kayfun 3.1. I love having the Kayfun 3.1 for certain fruit juices and other e-liquids that work better at cooler temperatures. For those that taste better at higher temperatures, dual-coiling the Aqua atomizer makes for an outstanding vape. If you’re the type of vaper that enjoys juices that work at high temperatures, prefers dual-coil setups, and wants airflow versatility then the Aqua atomizer is a brilliant choice.

Vaping Diaries #164: Ahlusion Review VII

Here’s a review of three juices from my favorite e-liquid company, Ahlusion. This time around, I cover a trio of juices that will appeal to vapers with a sweet tooth and to tobacco lovers. Gold Member is a relatively new addition to Ahlusion’s lineup, giving the company a salted-caramel offering. Vecchio Blend is a delicious vanilla tobacco. Last, it Gold Rising, which is a curious juice with an unusual quality that some vapers will love and some vapers will hate.

Gold Member: Out of the mailbox, this salted caramel e-liquid was just okay for me. When fresh, it has a “toasty” quality that I didn’t care for. It spoiled the overall balance of the juice, but with some steeping…man oh man, this became another Ahlusion juice that I love. The toasty quality fell into the background after about a month of steeping, allowing me to enjoy a rich caramel that’s wonderfully complemented by saltiness. Salted caramel desserts were the rage in Los Angeles in 2011-2012 and this juice allows me to enjoy that flavor without the calories. I especially enjoyed this juice using a sub-ohm setup in an Aqua atomizer; the dual coils made Gold Member a delicious hot dessert treat.

On a side note, while I became a big fan of this juice after a month of steeping, I’m still weirded out by having the salted caramel taste in my mouth without the salty sensation on my tongue. It confuses my simple brain.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Vecchio Blend: This non-aromatic tobacco e-liquid takes a light tobacco (and I mean light by Ahlusion’s standards) and mixes it with a lovely vanilla bean flavor. I enjoyed this juice fresh, but absolutely adored it after a month of steeping. When fresh, the vanilla is a bit more pronounced. After some steeping, the blend was perfect for me. The fantastic and authentic vanilla bean flavor is pleasantly sweet without dominating the light and authentic tobacco. One of my favorite qualities of several Ahlusion juices is how the flavors blend together perfectly. Vecchio Blend (after steeping) is another great example of this.

Out of the three juices in this review, Vecchio Blend was my favorite. I quickly went through my 30ml review bottle and have ordered a 60ml bottle since then. This is a fantastic vanilla tobacco e-liquid and I highly recommend it.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Gold Rising: Curious is the word that best describes this honey-tobacco juice. The description lists it as Ahlusion’s take on the original RY4. I’ve had some of the original RY4 out of the creator’s freezer and this juice doesn’t taste anything like that. Some have speculated that this is, perhaps, a take on the original Ruyan 4, since it has some qualities similar to Chinese tobacco e-liquids. Just be warned that this doesn’t taste like a typical Asian or Western RY4 juice.

What it does taste like is a solid honey tobacco. The sweetness of the honey and bite of the tobacco come together nicely. Also in the mix is a pungent quality that’s very much a love or hate thing. People that enjoy this juice will dig the funkiness of the flavor, while people that hate it will be thinking about urine. (Actually, I know a guy that enjoys this juice and still equates it with urine. Hi Jerms!)

Personally, I liked this juice but didn’t love it. Most of the time I enjoyed it enough, but there were times when it made me think, “This is…strange.” For a honey tobacco, I greatly preferred Ahlusion’s Honey Cured over Gold Member. Since Honey Cured is an aromatic, the tobacco is much stronger and for me the honey-tobacco blend is tastier.

Juice Specs: 6mg nicotine, 50/50 PG/VG

Steeping and Review Notes (Updated December 29, 2013)
On the advice of Wlad from Ahlusion, I’ve been trying a new steeping method as of December 27, 2012. When the e-liquids arrive, I leave them uncapped for five minutes. Previously, I left them uncapped for about two days. After the liquids are given a few minutes to oxidize, the caps are put back on.

RPad.TV e-liquid reviews focus on the flavor of the e-liquids, since throat hit and vapor production can be altered by the PG/VG ratio and nicotine level selected. Each juice is vaped over a period of days in a bottom-coil silica atomizer (The Russian and Aqua), various rebuildable dripping atomizers, and a clearomizer.

Vaping Diaries #163: Vape Syndicate Guardian Review

If you’re looking for a luxury vaping device that’s made in America then the Vape Syndicate Guardian should be on your short list. Constructed primarily from titanium — an expensive metal that’s crazy strong and ridiculously light — the Vape Syndicate Guardian is a hybrid mod that comes with several accessories. While many titanium mods cost $400 for the mod alone, the Guardian comes with a Genesis-style atomizer, two tubes (18650 and 18500), and a 510 cap for when you don’t want to go hybrid. While the $475 price is high compared to most mechanical mods, compared to other titanium mods the Vape Syndicate Guardian is something of a bargain.

Build Quality and Construction: The Vape Syndicate Guardian is made from a thick cut of titanium. The company starts with a 99.9-percent block of type-two titanium, as opposed to prefabricated tubes other companies use. The mod has a luxurious feel, while also being simple to maintain.

The mod’s contact points are made from brass. While it’s a tried-and-true metal for contacts, I would have liked to have seen something more conductive to match this mod’s premium feel. Silver-plated copper/brass or rhodium-plated copper/brass would have been excellent, as well as more conductive.

The caps and switch are totally straightforward. Vape Syndicate chose to go with a simple magnet system for the firing mechanism, as opposed to a complicated spring-switch. One minor gripe I have with the Guardian is its 510 cap — the contact isn’t easily adjustable.

The Genesis-style atomizer has a few nifty tricks up its sleeve. First up is the ceramic-covered center post. This is a great feature for novices and veterans alike; the ceramic isolator increases your margin for error when building and helps prevent shorts. The atomizer also has a vented negative terminal screw, allowing you to refill quickly.

The aforementioned quibbles aside, the Vape Syndicate Guardian is a well-constructed device. The quality of the titanium is easily noticeable, the craftsmanship is strong, and the mod has a high-end feel.

Design and Ergonomics: Vapers that have never used a titanium mod will be in for a surprise with the Vape Syndicate Guardian. Titanium is noticeably lighter than stainless steel or brass. The Guardian will feel surprisingly light to many vapers. With a full tank of juice, the mod has a top-heavy balance, which feels different from similarly sized hybrids.

Once you get used to the lightness of the body and the atypical balance, the Vape Syndicate Guardian feels lovely in your hand. The mod’s firing button is smooth, with a medium-light touch and a medium throw. The button is recessed, allowing the mod to stand without firing. Button feel is, of course, subjective. For my tastes, I liked the touch, but would have preferred a shorter throw.

As for looks, the Guardian reminds me of a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica. It has bold rings on the main tube and a red tank on the atomizer. Most vapers will find its style futuristic, masculine, and rugged.

Performance: There are two factors that help give the Vape Syndicate Guardian strong performance. Obviously, it’s a hybrid so there’s direct contact to the battery. Secondly, the magnet system is “lossless.” Those features help compensate for the relatively modest conductivity of brass and titanium. While the mod delivers a solid vape, I have used hybrids that offer stronger performance.

As for the Genesis-style atomizer, I was really happy with its performance. It’s easy to work with and delivers a hearty vape. The relatively small chamber helps deliver great flavor, while the staggered air holes (0.7 mm and 1.2 mm) offered a satisfying draw. Keep in mind that my personal preference for air flow is tight to medium. Vapers that prefer an airier draw will likely want bigger air holes.

Verdict: Whenever I talk about the Vape Syndicate Guardian, I always describe it as star-spangled awesome. I love that such a great high-end mod is made in the USA. When I open up the Guardian’s box at vape shops, I picture eagles flying by and Hulk Hogan’s “Real American” theme song playing. Seriously though, the Guardian is a really well-made hybrid that offers strong performance. While the $475 price is more than what most vapers are willing to spend, it is a better value than many competing titanium mods. I’ve seen a few titanium mods that cost $400 for the mod alone. With the Vape Syndicate Guardian, you get two tubes, a Genesis-style atomizer with some innovative features, a 510 top cap, and a case. Yes, it’s expensive and certainly not for everyone, but compared to other mods in this price range, the Vape Syndicate Guardian offers a lot for your money.

If you want even more information on the Guardian and the company in general then please check out my ECC 2013 interview with Vape Syndicate CEO Adam Tout.

Vaping Diaries #162: Envision Vapor Glass Drip Tip Review

Envision Vapor offers handblown glass drip tips that are made in the USA. The tips are beautiful, unique, and well made. They’re made from borosilicate glass, which many vapers know from Corning’s Pyrex brand. While some vapers are wary of glass drip tips, there are some very good reasons to consider them over plastic and metal ones. Before I get into those reasons, I want to make it clear that Envision Vapor’s glass drip tips are my favorite. I’ve been using several of these tips for the last few months and I couldn’t be happier with them.

The first reason I recommend Envision Vapor glass drip tips is mouthfeel. Glass simply feels better on your mouth than plastic or metal. Think about beverages you drink at a nice restaurant. They’re not served in plastic or metal cups. They’re served in glass. Unless you’re the type of vaper that likes to chew on drips tips, you’ll likely prefer the mouthfeel of glass over other drip tip materials.

Heat dissipation is another reason why glass drip tips are great. Out of the dozens of drips I have, glass does a superior job at dissipating heat. This is hugely important for sub-ohm vapers and chain vapers. When using a 0.5-ohm dual-coil setup, my metal drip tips get too hot and I have to stop vaping for a bit. Even my insulated metal drip tips get very warm. Although my Envision Vapor drip tips heat up during sub-ohm chain-vaping, they never get uncomfortably warm.

Some vapers shy away from glass drip tips because of perceived durability issues. The two standard Envision Vapor drip tips I have are made from fairly thick glass. I’ve seen the owner of the company bounce them off hard floors and they were fine. I’ve dropped my mod on carpeted floors (several times) and my tips were fine. The one time I broke an Envision Vapor drip tip was when I accidentally flung my mod across the room (yes, alcohol was involved) and the tip cracked. Keep in mind that this was a thinner Maria Tube. The standard Envision Vapor drip tips are durable — probably more than most vapers think.

For the last several months, I’ve been using Envision Vapor drip tips that are great for flavor fiends. The three shapes I’ve been using — the Maria Tube, Disc, and Teardrop models — feature thin air holes for concentrated flavor. In many ways, the Maria Tube reminds me of the draw of the standard Kayfun tip (which I love) — it shoots your mouth with a lovely, concentrated blast of flavor. If you’re a cloud chaser that’s looking for an airier draw or you want to drip directly into your drip tip then you should consider the Pooh Pot model that Envision Vapor offers. As a flavor guy, I was really happy with the three drip tip shapes I selected.

As for pricing, the standard Envision Vapor drip tips cost $29.99, while the Maria Tubes cost $15.99. While those prices are certainly higher than cheap metal or plastic drip tips that are made-in-China, the prices are inline with other high-end drip tips. Personally, I think that the prices are fair. These are made-in-the-USA products that are very well made. I like them more than enough to buy more at the $29.99 price.

Like I said in the intro, these are my favorite drip tips on the market. They look great, handle heat nicely, and feel good in your mouth. I highly recommend Envision Vapor glass drip tips. Check out the company web site to see the different models and colors available. If you’d like more information on the company then check out this interview I did with Envision Vapor owners Rob DeRieux and Jason Laret.

Vaping Diaries #157: Vapour Art GP Paps X Review

It’s hard to write a review of the Vapour Art GP Paps X without sounding like a bootlicker. There are just so many extraordinary aspects of the mod that it’s easy to spend hundreds of words lavishing it with praise. While I’m a fan of Vapour Art products, I can also objectively say that the GP Paps X easily one of the best mods on the market today.

Build Quality and Construction: The GP Paps X is made from 316 stainless steel. This type of steel is heavier and more expensive than the 303 and 304 varieties most mechanical mods are made from. To put in perspective, 303 and 304 stainless steel are used for pots and pans, while 316 stainless steel is used for jewelry and watches. This grade of steel gives the GP Paps X a nice heft and a luxurious feel.

The contact points on the GP Paps X are silver-plated brass. Silver is tops when it comes to conductivity and it’s lower maintenance than copper. While you do need to clean the contacts periodically, you don’t have to do so as often as you would with bare brass or copper contacts.

The threads on the GP Paps X are extraordinary. After a thorough wash, they’re still considerably smoother than lubricated threads on any of the mods in my collection. So yeah, there’s buttery and then there’s the threads on the GP Paps X. Even when they’re completely dry, the action on the threads is so silky that they feel lubed. It’s impossible to adequately illustrate in words or in video how remarkable the machining on the GP Paps X is; when you feel it yourself, you’ll have a “Wow!” moment.

In terms of materials and craftsmanship, the GP Paps X is one of the best mods you can buy today.

Design and Ergonomics: The GP Paps X can be used with 18350 to 18650 batteries. It can also be used with an 18650 battery with an Evolv Kick, which is atypical for high-end mods.

The main body is brushed steel, while the accents are polished. By default, the top ring lets you adjust airflow. If you’re using an atomizer that has its own airflow control, like the Aqua or Kayfun, then you can pick up the optional replacement top ring for a flush appearance. Keep in mind that the GP Paps X has a 23mm diameter, which is slightly larger than most popular atomizers.

The firing button on the GP Paps X is another outstanding feature. The throw is incredibly short and the mod require a soft touch to fire, yet it can stand unlocked without firing. Outside of Vapour Art products, I’ve never felt a firing button like this. Again, describing with words or in a video doesn’t do it justice. It’s really quite amazing.

The aesthetics of the GP Paps X are blessedly subtle. The bottom of the tube has the GP logo on one side and the serial number on the other — that’s it. I love the understated and classy appearance of the GP Paps X, but looks are, of course, subjective.

Performance: The GP Paps X hits hard and has very low voltage drop. Compared with other stainless steel mods, the GP Paps X is among the best performers. The silver-plated contacts and tight engineering factor into its performance. Of course there are brass and copper mods with lower voltage drop, but as far as stainless steel mechs go, this mod is one of the best.

Verdict: With a price of $240, the GP Paps X is slightly more expensive than many high-end mods. Considering its superior materials and phenomenal workmanship, I think the price is absolutely worth it. It’s easily the best mod in my collection and certainly one of the best mods you can buy today. Now bring on the aluminum bronze GP Paps X Lux Vapour Art!

Vaping Diaries #156: Vape Syndicate Guardian Preview

The Vape Syndicate Guardian is hybrid mechanical mod primarily made from titanium. It’s made in the USA with 100 percent of its parts sourced from America. The latter is a really important distinction (to me, anyway), as some vaping companies get…flexible with the “made in the USA” label, offering products that are “assembled” in the USA or “engraved” in the USA. The Vape Syndicate Guardian is true American product. When I talk about it with my friends, I always describe it as star-spangled awesome.

There are several things that make the Vape Syndicate Guardian unique. Obviously the titanium body is rare, but there are some novel features in the mod’s Genesis-style atomizer. The atomizer has a ceramic center-post isolator that prevents shorts. The negative post screw is vented, allowing for easy refilling. The mod also uses a magnetic switch in a recessed housing.

The Vape Syndicate Guardian comes in a padded plastic case, similar to those made by Pelican. It comes with 18650 and 18500 tubes, as well as a 510 cap for when you want to use a standard atomizer. Considering that there are many titanium mods in the $400-$500 range for the mod alone, the complete kit Vape Syndicate offers is a relative bargain at $475. Remember, it comes with two tubes, a 510 cap, and a Genesis-style atomizer.

I’ll be putting the Vape Syndicate Guardian through its paces over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for the full review. If there are any aspects of this all-American hybrid that you’d like me to address in the review, please leave a comment below.

Vaping Diaries #155: E-Kustoms Atomizer Caps Review (Nimbus, Patriot, Igo-W)

If you’re looking for a way to change up the look of your rebuildable dripping atomizer then you should consider E-Kustoms atomizer caps. Available in clear acrylic, acrylic with metal accents (brass or copper), and lead-free brass, E-Kustoms atomizer caps are a great way to spruce up the looks of your Nimbus, Igo-W, or Patriot atomizer. These products are made by a gentleman in Southern California and are geared towards enthusiast vapers. While they’re on the pricey side, many vapers will enjoy what these caps bring to the table.

Acrylic caps are currently the hotness in the SoCal vaping scene. It’s just very cool to be able to see the deck of your atomizer and watch the vapor in your chamber. On the practical side, you can see when your coil is getting dry and seeing the coil(s) makes it easier to lineup your air holes perfectly. I was particularly high on the E-Kustoms atomizer caps with copper accents. They look brilliant on copper mods like the El Kapitan v2. They’re also well made; they slip onto atomizers easily and stay on securely.

Vapers that are concerned about safety needn’t worry about these caps melting. I tested two acrylic caps with dual-coil builds in the 0.4 to 0.5 range and they were just fine. To my surprise, they were also resistant to juices that crack polycarbonate tanks. Somewhat foolishly, I vaped 2ml of Ahlusion Cherry Cola, which I’ve cracked polycarbonate tanks with. The E-Kustoms atomizer caps stood up to the juice just fine. That said, I wouldn’t recommend making a habit of vaping citrus or cinnamon juices with these acrylic caps.

The only downside to the acrylic caps is that watching your atomizer can be mesmerizing. While you might enjoy watching the vapor float in your atty and eventually condensate, you pretty much look like a tool. It’s all in good fun though. Even though I’ve been using these caps for a couple of weeks, the novelty hasn’t worn off. I still watch the atomizer after every four or five drags…and I look like a fool every time. Ha!

The lead-free brass cap is very classy looking. Naturally, it looks great on brass mods, but also changes up the looks of stainless steel and copper mods. Like the acrylic caps I tested, the lead-free brass model fit my Patriot perfectly. While it doesn’t have the novelty factor of the acrylic caps, the lead-free brass cap has a nice, understated appearance.

E-Kustoms atomizer caps are not cheap, but keep in mind that these are custom made to your preferences. The all-acrylic models are $30, while the acrylic caps with metal accents are $40. E-Kustoms Chris will drill out any size holes you wish, making them suitable for flavor fiends and cloud chasers alike. Like I mentioned in the intro, these products are geared towards enthusiasts vapers that don’t mind paying $30 to $40 for an after-market cap. I totally understand vapers that have a problem paying more for one of these caps than they did for an Igo-W. Having said that, I really like these products and recommend them if you can swing the price. They’re well-made products that are cool and fun. If you want a custom-made E-Kustoms atomizer cap then hit up E-Kustoms Chris on Facbeook.

Vaping Diaries #154: El Kapitan v2 Review (Wu Tang House of Mods)

The copper-body El Kapitan v2 is the latest mechanical mod from the excellent Wu Tang House of Mods. The Filipino mod maker is known for making beautiful mechs that are available for fairly reasonable prices (when bought directly from Wu Tang). Last month I reviewed the stainless steel El Kapitan 1.5 and was very, very impressed. With its gorgeous and highly-conductive copper body, I like the El Kapitan v2 even more.

Build Quality and Construction: The main tube of the El Kapitan v2 is made from copper, which is a more conductive metal than the brass or stainless steel the vast majority of mechanical mods are made from. The mod comes with 18650 and 18350 tubes. The top and bottom caps are made from brass, while the contact points are gold-plated brass. Gold is highly resistant to corrosion and helps you go longer between pin cleanings. The materials used to make the El Kapitan v2 are high quality.

The build quality is also very strong. The copper tube is a relatively thick cut of metal and the caps are well made. When I reviewed the El Kapitan 1.5, the caps had some visible burrs on the threads. My El Kapitan v2 review unit doesn’t have any burrs and the threading is very smooth.

Design and Ergonomics: With its relatively thin top cap and small firing mechanism, the El Kapitan v2 is a bit shorter than many competing mechanical mods. The design is more understated than the one used in the El Kapitan 1.5. Some people didn’t care for the 1.5’s distinct swirl (I loved it). The minimalistic design of the El Kapitan v2 features two lines on the main tube, a ship steering wheel logo on the main tube, the Wu Tang House of Mods logo and serial number on the bottom cap, and the Wu Tang-styled drip well on the top cap. Put it all together and you have a very handsome mod.

Aesthetically, the copper body looks amazing. When new or freshly polished, the El Kapitan v2 has a shiny pinkish-brown look. After acquiring some patina from use, it has a vintage look. I love the way patina looks, but excess patina can hinder conductivity. Whether it’s shiny or with patina, the copper body gives the El Kapitan v2 a distinct appearance.

The firing button features a short throw and a medium spring. The mod can stand unlocked without firing, while a short press is required to vape. Off-center presses can result in a clicky feel. For the most part, I really enjoyed the firing button on the El Kapitan v2. It was right in my wheelhouse, offering a short throw and the ability to stand unlocked without firing.

The one niggling aspect of the El Kapitan v2 is its positive pin. Like the El Kapitan 1.5, this mod features a reverse-telescoping pin that’s not the easiest to work with. It’s not difficult by any means, but it’s not as convenient as many floating, self-adjusting, or telescoping pins found in other high-end mods. Some vapers will be annoyed that they’ll have to pop out the pin and adjust it when switching between different atomizers and/or batteries.

Lastly, the El Kapitan v2 has a 21mm diameter. It looks great with smaller atomizers, but 22mm atomizers have a slight overhang. Given the popularity of atomizers like the Kayfun, The Russian, and the Patriot, this could bother vapers that seek totally flush setups.

Performance: The El Kapitan 1.5 featured great performance and relatively low voltage drop. The El Kapitan v2 is even better, thanks to its copper body. Again, copper is more conductive than brass or stainless steel, so the results weren’t surprising. While the gold-and-brass positive pin isn’t the best choice for performance hounds, it does offer a nice blend of low maintenance and good conductivity.

Verdict: When purchased directly through Wu Tang House of Mods’ Facebook group buys, the El Kapitan v2 cost around $182 shipped. I’ve seen online retailers mark it up between $220 to $250. According to Wu Tang, only 133 of these mods were made, so there’s a collectible aspect to the mod if you care about that sort of thing. If you can find one at the lower end of the aforementioned price range then I recommend snapping it up right away.

With its beautiful copper body, sweet design, and strong performance, I’m quite enamored with the El Kapitan v2. The only reasons I couldn’t recommend it are if you don’t like the way the positive pin works or if you don’t like 21mm-diameter mods. Those aspects of the El Kapitan v2 didn’t really bother me, but I can understand some vapers not digging them. For my part, I was impressed with the El Kapitan v2’s looks, design, construction, and performance — another fine product from Wu Tang House of Mods.

Vaping Diaries #153: EHPro Nzonic Clone Review

A few months ago I reviewed EHPro’s EA Mod and was very, very impressed. With that in mind, I was curious to see if the EHPro Nzonic clone would offer a similar combination of strong performance and good construction quality at an affordable price. In a nutshell, it does not. While the EHPro Nzonic clone is a good product, there are other clones on the market that offer a better vaping experience at a similar price.

What’s in the Kit: The EHPro Nzonic clone comes with the mod, two extension tubes, a protective pouch, and a polishing cloth. It’s a nice and complete package, especially for an inexpensive clone.

Build Quality and Construction: The EHPro Nzonic clone has average build quality. The stainless steel body feels good and has a nice heft to it. Unfortunately, the unit I received had average threads with some visible burrs. The burrs didn’t affect the action of the threads, but they were definitely unsightly. Burrs aside, the threads had above-average smoothness.

My biggest issue with the mod was its firing button. As far as construction goes, the magnetized switch and firing mechanism were finicky. The button often popped out while in my mod bag. By comparison, I never had this problem with the Nzonic v4 or the Vape Los Angeles Oni (the latter is mechanically identical to the EHPro Nzonic clone).

While I liked the EHPro Nzonic clone’s metal body, the thread burrs and firing button bugged me.

Design and Ergonomics: Although this mod is touted as an Nzonic clone, it’s not a 1:1 clone — very far from it. It’s much bigger than a real Nzonic and the firing button feels nothing like the one on the original. I greatly preferred the original’s smaller size. The firing button…I really didn’t like. It has a soft feel, which is good, but it also has an unusually long throw. On the plus side, despite the long and mushy feel of the firing button, it does not fire when placed down while unlocked, even with a large atomizer on top.

Like the real Nzonic, the EHPro Nzonic clone is versatile. It can accept 18350 to 18650 batteries. The extension tube is long enough so that you can use an 18650 and an Evolv Kick. Not many mods offer that option, so this mod should be on the short list for Kick users that want the long battery life 18650-sized batteries offer.

While it doesn’t compare to the real Nzonic mechanically, aesthetically the EHPro Nzonic clone uses a lot of the same design language. The brushed stainless steel body has lines on the top cap and the signature Filipino sun drip well. The bottom cap has a brass accent ring, a brass firing button, and a decorative sapphire-like crystal. For the most part, it’s a handsome mod, though the firing button looks a bit cheap.

Performance: While I wasn’t a fan of the EHPro Nzonic clone’s size and firing button, there’s no arguing with its performance. Thanks to reasonably tight engineering and silver-plated copper contacts, the voltage drop is relatively low and the performance is very strong. While it wasn’t quite as good as what I experienced with the EHPro EA Mod or the Nzonic v4, the EHPro Nzonic clone offers very good performance for a stainless steel telescopic mod.

Verdict: For less than $60, the EHPro Nzonic clone offers good performance for the money. If you like its size, looks, and button feel then you should snatch one up. As far as clones go, I think the EHPro EA Mod and Hcigar Nemesis are better choices. The former offers better performance in a side-firing package, while the latter offers a better feel and superior build quality in a fixed-tube setup. The EHPro Nzonic clone isn’t a bad device by any means, but there are better choices out there for vapers looking for a budget mechanical mod.

Vaping Diaries #152: Innokin iTaste VTR Review

The Innokin iTaste VTR is a variable-voltage/variable-wattage box mod with a unique form factor. Positioned as the company’s premium box mod — with the iTaste MVP 2 positioned as the affordable model — the iTaste VTR has all the features vapers want from a VV/VW device. Its performance is accurate, the wattage and voltage ranges are broad, it can check resistance (ohms), and the build quality is tops. To me, this is the best product Innokin has ever released, but there’s a big reason to disagree with my opinion — the weight. With its integrated-clearomizer design, the iTaste VTR is fairly compact, but it’s also one of the heaviest vaping devices I’ve used. Some people will be completely turned off by the weight, but if you can manage it then you’ll enjoy one of the best mass-market box mods available today.

What’s in the Kit: The iTaste VTR comes in a decorative box, similar to the iTaste 134. The box comes with the unit, an iClear 30s clearomizer, a 510 adapter tube, and the instruction manual. You’ll need to supply your own 18650 battery.

Ergonomics and Design: The design is the most unique feature of this vaping device. Unlike most box mods — which aren’t all that common to begin with — the iTaste VTR has a compartment for an atomizer. Obviously it was designed to hold Innokin’s iClear 30 and iClear 30s products, but it can accept clearomizers with a diameter of 19mm or less. With a clearomizer that size inserted into the unit, the iTaste VTR is quite compact. That’s the good news.

The bad news, for some vapers, is that the iTaste VTR is extremely heavy. It’s one of the heaviest vaping devices I’ve ever used. Even though I generally prefer mods with a nice heft to them, there were times when I felt the weight of the iTaste VTR was a bit much. For vapers that prefer lighter devices, the weight is definitely a deal-breaker. Based on the weight alone, I highly recommend checking out the iTaste VTR at a shop to see if the weight is something that will work for you.

As for the other ergonomic aspects of the iTaste VTR, let’s look at the device with the clearomizer slot pointed down. To the left of the slot is the LCD display, which is very bright and easy to read. Going clockwise, the firing button is opposite the clearo cutout. At the top of the unit is a dial to adjust voltage and wattage, with a function button in the center of the dial.

If you’re using an atomizer that doesn’t fit into the cutout then you can use the included 510 adapter tube. The adapter accepts both 510-threaded and eGo-threaded atomizers. It’s a nice inclusion, but really defeats the purpose of the product’s design.

If you can manage the weight and use an atomizer that fits into the cutout, the iTaste VTR is generally comfortable to use. I enjoyed using it most of the time. When I was out walking and vaping, there were a few occasions where the heft was a bit much for me.

Construction and Build Quality: The model I reviewed was the polished version, which picks up fingerprints like crazy. The unit looks lovely when it’s clean, but after a few minutes of use you’ll have loads of fingerprint smudges. I hate that, but understand that many vapers don’t mind it. If you hate fingerprints then you should consider the green version of this product.

Like Innokin’s other top devices, the build quality is very good. The device is put together well and the quality is strong for a mass-produced product. As far as construction goes, the iTaste VTR is among Innokin’s best offerings.

Operation: Using the iTaste VTR is a snap. Pressing the function button brings up the atomizer resistance (ohms) and last voltage or wattage setting. Pressing it again will change it between variable-voltage and variable-wattage mode. Moving the the wheel clockwise will increase voltage or wattage, while moving it counterclockwise decreases those settings.

The voltage range is 3.0 to 6.0 volts adjustable in 0.1-volt increments, while the wattage range is 3.0 to 15.0 volts adjustable in 0.5-watt increments. This is a broader range than what the iTaste MVP 2 features.

The LED above the firing button give you a general idea of your battery life. Green means that your battery is above 3.75 volts, yellow means it’s somewhere between 3.61 and 3.75 volts, and red means that it’s below 3.61 volts.

Performance and Battery Life: Like Innokin’s other top products, the iTaste VTR delivers consistent output. I used it at a variety of voltage and wattage settings, and was satisfied with what the device delivered. The device is best used with the clearomizer cutout. With the 510 adapter tube, the unit seemed to deliver slightly less power (which you can compensate for by dialing up voltage or wattage) and didn’t check resistance as consistently as it did with the atomizer connected directly to the slot. The wasn’t too surprising since the adapter adds another junction for current to flow through.

Since the iTaste VTR has a five-amp limit, I recommend going with a high-mAh battery like the Panasonic NCR18650B. With its 3,100 mAh capacity, this battery will get most vapers at least a day and half of vaping, while some vapers will get two days or more out of it.

Verdict: There are many things I love about the Innokin iTaste VTR. Its design is unique, different, and compact. It comes at an affordable price (street price of around $80). Its performance is consistent. And the kit is complete (really like the iClear 30s, btw). Prior to the iTaste VTR’s release, I thought that the iTaste SVD was Innokin’s best product to date. Personally, I feel that the iTaste VTR is even better, but I completely understand someone thinking otherwise, simply because of the unit’s weight.

The iTaste VTR offers the features and performance at vapers want from a VV/VW device, but its unusually high weight is a deal-breaker for some. That’s totally understandable. If you’re looking for a VV/VW device and don’t mind a heavy product then the iTaste VTR will make you very, very happy. If weight is a concern and you don’t mind a lower voltage/wattage range then the iTaste MVP 2 is a better choice.